Half a block from the dark alley, he mounted a pair of steps and opened a door. He glanced back over the street and saw a lone pedestrian hurrying along. Whether the man had seen him with his human burden, the count could not tell. He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door behind him. "Well, I've got one of them here," he said to himself. "The dog! Had it not been for him my plot would not have failed. He shall pay!" The blow which had laid Frank low in the alley had not been as severe as the one Jack had received for the reason that when Frank tripped over his friend's body, the blow had glanced off his head rather than crashing solidly upon it. Therefore Count Blowinski, carrying Jack's limp body, had hardly passed from the alley when Frank returned to consciousness. His first thought was of Jack and he called to him. Receiving no answer, and feeling certain that there was no longer any enemy in the alley, Frank drew a match from his pocket and struck it. The flare showed the lad that except for himself there was no human being there. "Great Scott! He must have carried Jack away!" the lad exclaimed. "Jack would never have gone without looking for me." Frank got quickly to his feet and hurried from the alley. Glancing in both directions, he saw a man coming toward him. The lad hurried up and accosted the man in French. The latter shook his head, signifying that he did not understand. Frank tried again, this time in German. The man nodded. He could understand. "Did you see anything of two men, a man and a boy?" asked Frank. "I saw one man," was the reply. "He seemed to be carrying another figure. Whether it was that of a man or a boy I could not tell." "Where did he go?" demanded Frank eagerly. "Into that house there," said the man pointing. Frank did not waste any further words. He dashed forward, unheeding the cries of the Russian. The latter stared at the hurrying lad for some moments and then ran after him. "The boy is going to get himself in trouble," said the Russian. "I may be able to help him." At the foot of the steps Frank paused, for it had struck him suddenly that it would be very foolish to climb the steps and ring the bell, as he had first thought of doing. As the lad hesitated, the Russian joined him. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "I'm going in after my friend," replied Frank. "I was just trying to think of a way to get in without Count Blowinski being aware of my presence." "Count Blowinski!" exclaimed the Russian. "Yes," said Frank. "The man who would have betrayed the Czar?" "The same." The Russian extended a hand to the lad. "You may count on my help," he said. "Good!" said Frank. "Now, we may as well try this front door. Perhaps it will open." "If it won't, I'll open it for you," said the Russian. They ascended the steps and Frank laid a hand on the knob and turned it cautiously. The door was locked. "Let me get there a minute," said the Russian.